FOXBORO, Mass. — The scorekeepers proved Sunday they're the only ones who can take touchdowns away from Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, because opposing defenses haven't figured out how to do so.

Gronkowski scored three times during the Patriots' 31-24 victory over the Colts at Gillette Stadium, and he became the first tight end in NFL history to score 14 touchdowns in a single season.

There was a moment, though, when Gronkowski's new record read a little differently.

His third touchdown came on a screen play to the right side, and he weaved through three blockers to get into the end zone from two yards away. It was ruled a touchdown pass, which was credited as his 14th scoring reception of the season, and that was enough to break a tie with the marks set by 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (13 touchdown catches in 2009) and Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (13 in 2004).

The public address announcer called out the record to the home crowd, which gave Gronkowski a loud ovation, and he also received a long line of congratulatory handshakes from his teammates on the bench.

Minutes later, the scorekeeper announced the play was ruled as a lateral, which meant it had been changed to a rushing touchdown. Therefore, Gronkowski was stuck on 13 receiving touchdowns for the year, but further analysis showed he still became the first tight end in history with 14 touchdowns of any kind in one season.

Tom Brady was surprised to hear that news after the game, and he argued the validity of it, saying he believed he threw the ball forward. At any rate, the NFL reviews statistics each Tuesday, and it could be officially changed one way or another — if it matters.

"I'm OK with it," Gronkowski said. "That was my first rushing touchdown of my career and the first rushing touchdown of my life."